Articles tagged with Moons
The New Horizons team revealed a diverse range of findings about the Pluto system, including varied landforms, atmospheric complexity, and intriguing moons. The mission has provided unprecedented insights into Pluto's geological activity, with evidence of water-ice rich crusts and multiple haze layers in its atmosphere.
A new study published in Nature provides the first detailed look at Pluto's five known moons, revealing fascinating details about their orbits and rotational patterns. The research found that three of the smaller moons, Nix, Styx, and Hydra, are locked together in resonance, making their orbits more regular and predictable.
A team of scientists has developed a new chemical model to determine the pH of Enceladus' ocean, finding it to be salty and alkaline with a pH of 11-12. This suggests that serpentinization, a geochemical process, could have created conditions suitable for life on the moon.
A team of scientists suggests that hydrothermal processes at the rock-water boundary could produce methane in Enceladus' ocean. Analyzing Cassini data, they propose two possible explanations for the moon's methane abundance: one involving hydrothermal activity and another based on ice formation/melting cycles.
Scientists confirm an underground saltwater ocean on Ganymede, estimated to be 60 miles thick and buried under a 95-mile crust of ice. This discovery could open up possibilities for life beyond Earth and is made possible by the unique capabilities of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
Researchers from University of California Berkeley observed and recorded the eruption on Io's surface, which released about 20 Terawatts of energy. The team used Gemini Observatory's rapid scheduling capabilities to monitor the evolution of the volcano over nearly two weeks, providing critical insights into the outburst events.
A CU-Boulder team printed the first 3D version of 'Goodnight Moon' using 3D printing technology, enabling visually impaired children and their families to explore tactilely. The project aims to represent 2D graphics in a 3D, tactile way on a scale suitable for young children, providing an interactive reading experience.
A NASA-funded study suggests that cracks on Pluto's moon Charon could reveal a past underground ocean. The analysis finds that a high-eccentricity phase in Charon's orbit may have generated large tides, causing friction and surface fractures. This friction would have also caused the tides to slightly lag behind their orbital positions.
Researchers programmed a robot to use eye gaze as a nonverbal cue, making handovers more fluid. People reached out to take an object sooner in scenarios where the robot used head movements or made eye contact.
New gravity data reveals an ocean of liquid water beneath 30-40 km of ice at Enceladus' surface, potentially creating conditions for complex chemical reactions. The sub-surface ocean may extend towards the equator in every direction, similar to Europa's ocean.
Researchers have observed Guam mantas gathering around fish spawn, which is a previously unknown behavior. The mantas react to the presence of surgeonfish by trying to evade them. This study highlights the importance of understanding manta behavior for conservation efforts in Micronesia.
Researchers discovered a novel metamorphosis hormone that triggers the transformation of moon jellyfish from polyps to medusas in response to cold temperatures. This understanding may offer new methods for controlling moon jellyfish blooms and preventing ecological damage.
Researchers have discovered cellulose nanocrystals with remarkable mechanical properties, including stiffness comparable to steel. These tiny structures, abundant in nature, offer a potential green alternative to carbon nanotubes for reinforcing materials.
Washington University in St. Louis researcher Tae Seok Moon has been awarded a Gates Fellowship to develop probiotic bacteria that target and kill parasite eggs in the human body. The goal is to create a long-term strategy to prevent disease transmission, addressing a major global health challenge.
Researchers from the University of Pablo de Olavide suggest that the Elephant's Tomb in Carmona, Spain was originally a temple for worshipping the god Mithras. The structure features an equinox window that aligns with celestial bodies, reinforcing this theory.
At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, researchers create ultrathin layers of amorphous ice to replicate extreme chemistry found in space. They find that water helps amino acids last longer when exposed to cosmic radiation, producing new chemical byproducts.
Hyejin Moon's novel microfluidic devices improve accurate images and conditions of huge numbers of samples, enabling quicker disease biomarker identification. The technology has applications for speedier drug development and may lead to the development of devices used by patients in their own homes.
The Hinode spacecraft observed two solar eclipses in 2012 and 2013, capturing distinct views of total and partial eclipses. The mission provided valuable insights into the Sun's surface magnetism, shedding light on sunspot activity.
The New Horizons team has discovered a high risk of collisions with debris orbiting Pluto due to its fast speed. To mitigate this risk, the team is plotting alternative courses that would preserve most of the science mission while avoiding deadly encounters.
Researchers have designed a complex logic circuit using bacterial genes, enabling synthetic bacteria to monitor and respond to their environments. The circuit consists of four sensors and three two-input AND gates, allowing the bacteria to perform tasks such as detecting cancer indicators and releasing tumor-killing factors.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that manta rays are more likely to gather together under new or full moons and when wind speeds are lower. The researchers used a citizen science approach involving volunteer divers and tour operators to monitor manta ray behavior at Lady Elliott Island.
New research finds that identifying oneself as part of the same group can improve memory of members of another race. In three experiments, participants showed better memory for members of their own group than others, regardless of race. This effect was especially pronounced when people were motivated to serve a collective goal
The discovery of the new moon provides additional clues for unraveling how the Pluto system formed and evolved. The team is using Hubble's powerful vision to scour the Pluto system to uncover potential hazards to NASA's New Horizons spacecraft.
Red Whittaker, a pioneer in mobile autonomous robotics, has been awarded the 2012 IEEE Simon Ramo Medal. He has developed over 60 robots that can work in challenging environments, including contaminated nuclear plants, abandoned mines, and active volcanoes.
The newly discovered two-planet system of Kepler-36 features a rocky planet Kepler-36b and a gas giant Kepler-36c that experience close encounters every 97 days. Researchers are struggling to understand how these worlds ended up in such tight orbits, but the discovery has significant implications for the search for exoplanets.
Scientists have discovered strange half-mile-sized objects leaving glittering trails behind them as they punch through parts of Saturn's F ring. These 'mini-jets' fill in a missing link in our understanding of the curious behavior of the F ring, showing that smaller snowballs can survive and strike through the ring on their own.
Researchers found that altered function of Tbx3 gene interferes with cardiac conduction system development, causing lethal arrhythmias. Studies with mice show that Tbx3 levels below a critical threshold lead to arrhythmia and death.
A new study by Shane Frederick reveals that people overestimate the average willingness to pay for products, with a bias of +40% across various groups. This overvaluing bias may lead to sellers setting prices too high and difficulties in negotiation.
Researchers found two moons orbiting the triple asteroid Minerva, offering insights into its formation and structure. The discovery sheds light on how large asteroids in the main-belt form, suggesting they are composed of rubble held together by gravity.
The Universe Awareness program, endorsed by the IAU, has won the Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE) award. The program uses astronomy to inspire children and foster global citizenship, with a focus on underprivileged backgrounds.
Simulations suggest Saturn's rings and inner moons formed after a massive satellite collided with the planet. The resulting debris formed the icy rings and ice-rich inner moons.
New work by astrophysicist David Kipping reveals that astronomers can calculate a star's mass using its orbiting planet and moon. By measuring the size of the planet and moon relative to the star and their orbital periods, scientists can use Kepler's Laws of Motion to determine the density of the star.
Dr. William R. Muehlberger, a renowned geologist, is awarded the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal for his groundbreaking work in tectonics and exceptional service to the geoscience community. He has supervised over 90 Ph.D. theses and trained astronauts in geology.
Researchers found that water and sulfur dioxide react as ice with surprising speed and high yield at temperatures hundreds of degrees below freezing. This unexpected reaction could revamp current thinking about Europa's chemistry and geology, potentially leading to new discoveries on the moon and other icy bodies.
The discovery of SN2005E reveals a supernova whose origin cannot be explained by any previously known mechanism. It is rich in helium and surprisingly different from typical white dwarf systems.
A global health system must accomplish five core functions: agenda-setting, financing and resource allocation, research and development, implementation and delivery, and monitoring and evaluation. The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in this framework.
The Cassini spacecraft confirmed that reddish dust infalling on Saturn's moon Iapetus is responsible for its 'yin-yang' appearance. Water ice migration and evaporation also contribute to the extreme brightness differences between the two hemispheres.
Researchers found that people tend to walk in circles when lost due to lack of directional references, leading to accumulation of sensorimotor system noise. In controlled tests, blindfolded participants walked small circles, highlighting the role of internal navigation errors.
Berkeley Lab researchers produced non-toxic magnesium oxide nanocrystals that emit bright blue light, which could be used in bio-imaging or solid-state lighting. The nanocrystals also have the potential to play a role in long-term storage of carbon dioxide, a key technology for mitigating global warming.
Researchers encoded letters 'S' and 'U' in interference patterns formed by quantum electron waves, creating a tiny hologram that can be viewed with a microscope. The achievement paves the way for storing more information in less space, challenging the assumption of atomic limits
Scientists propose that sunlight increases or decreases the spin rate of asteroids, leading to moon formation through material slung off at the equator. This process exposes fresh material at the poles and coalesces into a satellite orbiting its parent.
Two new studies evaluate bassinet use and bedsharing, finding that lack of oxygen is a common cause of death in bassinets. The researchers also identify risk factors for bassinet use, including blankets, pillows, and plastic bags.
A robotic probe called ENDURANCE will test its performance in cold, icy conditions on Lake Mendota, simulating the environment of Jupiter's moon Europa. The probe is designed to map underwater environments and collect data on biological conditions.
Astronomers at the University of Illinois have discovered a stellar cradle where planets and moons are believed to form. Located 800 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the object is an enormous flow of shocked molecular hydrogen gas erupting from a young protostar's magnetic poles.
Researchers have discovered an ancient light-sensitive gene, known as a cryptochrome, that appears to act as a trigger for the annual mass spawning of corals across Australia's Great Barrier Reef shortly after a full moon. The Cry2 gene, stimulated by faint blue light, plays a central role in triggering the event.
Researchers propose a new model, Frigid Faithful, which explains the formation of fractures and ridges on Saturn's moon Enceladus without requiring liquid water. The model describes how heat from a shallow source beneath the surface could lead to geyser-like activity and complex tectonic features.
The International Astronomical Union has named the newly discovered dwarf planet Eris and its moon Dysnomia. The name Eris was proposed by Michael Brown and accepted unanimously by the Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature and the Committee for Small Body Nomenclature.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez is recognized for his significant advances in terrestrial and marine conservation during his tenure as Costa Rica's environment minister. The Blue Moon Fund awarded him the $150,000 prize to support his work on advancing ecosystem services policy and practice.
A survey by the European Society of Cardiology found that care for adults with congenital heart disease in Europe is suboptimal, with many specialist centres failing to meet basic standards. The report identifies key areas for improvement, including the need for more trained healthcare professionals and specialized equipment.
Researchers used fMRI to examine how brains process object size under illusions, finding the primary visual cortex activated more area for a distant object. This challenges the long-held view that the image is just a precise reflection of the retina.
Scientists have discovered a creep mechanism in high-pressure phases of ice that affects grain size, indicating weaker ice layers in giant icy moons. This finding challenges previous theories on the thermal evolution and internal dynamics of these moons.
Recent images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show jets of fine, icy particles emanating from Saturn's moon Enceladus' south polar region. The discovery provides unambiguous visual evidence that the moon is geologically active and has a fountain-like source of material.
Recent images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal spectacular evidence of an active moon, Enceladus, with jets of fine, icy particles streaming from its south polar region. The discovery confirms the moon is geologically active and provides insight into its internal heating and possible energy sources.
Researchers used genetic data and computer simulations to reveal that moon jellyfish migration post-dates European global shipping and trade. The study found that up to 23% of marine species in international harbors are non-indigenous, posing threats to ecosystems and causing billions of dollars in damage.
A sacrificial burial found at the pyramid reveals a grisly scene of bloodshed, with clear cultural connections to other burials and new elements. The discovery suggests that state power was celebrated through ceremony and sacrifice, contradicting past interpretations.
Physicist Rose suggests that inscribing information on a physical medium can be more energy-efficient than sending messages through radio waves. He proposes this method as a solution for communicating with extraterrestrial civilizations, potentially leading to millions of messages being discovered on Earth or other celestial bodies.
The new Medicare drug law creates a coverage gap, or 'donut hole,' where chronically ill patients will bear the greatest burden. Many with chronic conditions will face high out-of-pocket costs for medications, exacerbating health problems and increasing healthcare expenses.
A review of studies on holidays and death found contradictory results with only modest effects, and failed to explain mechanisms for delaying or advancing death. The authors conclude that future studies need to be better designed to find valid answers.
Researchers found a clear association between ocean tides and ice stream motion in West Antarctica. The study discovered that a one-meter tide variation can cause an ice stream to halt and then accelerate rapidly.
A new excavation at Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Moon reveals a distinctive Mayan-style burial with jade artifacts, suggesting a direct connection between Teotihuacan rulers and the Maya royal families. The discovery sheds new light on the government of Teotihuacan and its potential influence on Mayan politics.